Nepal political parties unveil election manifestos for November polls

Kathmandu: Electioneering has heated up in Nepal, with major political parties unveiling their manifestos for the November 19 Constituent Assembly polls and floating different ideas to strengthen parliamentary form of democracy.

Nepali Congress released its election manifesto on Thursday focusing on multiparty competition, periodic election, adult franchise, separation of powers, judicial independence, rule of law, press freedom, and transparent and inclusive governing system as features of the new constitution.

In its proposed constitution, the Nepali Congress has floated the idea of federal structure with seven federal units, including two provinces in the southern plains or Terai.

The party has plans to draft the new constitution within a year and then focus on economic development of the country. It also favoured a parliamentary form of political system with executive powers vested in the Prime Minister, to be elected from the 601-member Constituent Assembly which also acts as the country's Parliament.

The party has proposed a constitutional president to be elected through Electoral College, who acts as head of the state.

Meanwhile, Unified CPN-Maoist has floated the idea of directly elected President with all executive powers vested upon him and a Prime Minister to be elected from the Parliament who will look after day-to-day administration.

Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) has floated the idea of a parliamentary system with directly elected Prime Minister.

Similarly, Federal Socialist Party, headed by Ashok Rai, aims to delineate federal provinces on the basis of ethnic identity guaranteeing inclusive rights for the ethnic communities and other marginalised groups.

The party also favours the idea of directly elected president vested with executive powers.

Election campaigning has geared up across Nepal, including Terai and capital city Kathmandu, with the poll date three weeks away despite the call of breakaway Maoist faction CPN-Maoist led by hardliner leader Mohan Vaidya to boycott the polls.

Out of a total 601 seats, voting for 240 seats under direct election or first past the post system, is taking place on November 19.